Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-17
GULF STREAM ANTICS.
Matters which Influemce the Flow Of
the Great Oceae River.

From the New York Times.
The recent experiences Of steamers in not being
able TO find the ouf Stream current lust where
they fancied they had every reason to expect
strong and favorable set, serve TO emphasize the
lack OF knowledge by the world at large OF this
most mighty OF rivera notwithstanding the fact
| that thousands Of vessels annually pass through
the straits OF Florida, there always some mari
ners fully prepared TO he surprised II they do not
find Q current OF the maximum strength set down
on the charts The influences which tend to lessen
this force are Just those which would make the
actual position OF the vessel uncertain ~ stormy
exact position OF vessel In reference to the axis
OF the stream, and few miles either way place
Current but ~. Actually NOT Sn es 70 se wss
ward. This fact has been established beyond all
doubt by the accurate observations conducted by
the coast survey steamer Bake at present RENTING
lor continuation OF her scientific research In this
The westerly set along the reefs west OF Carys-
loot Lighthouse ls well known. 1t probably be-
gins at what Is called the elbow" near 1t. At
increases to width OF 20 miles or more or Re
Decca shoals, well outside or the One Hundred
Fatnom Curve This clears the coral reef by
larry safe distance. This space zone, so TO
speak, ls variable quantity, as the current is
governed by the tides as well as by barometrical
pressure and the declination of the moon. FIRE.
quent reports from authentic sources have shown
now vessels ia attempting 70 make Sand Key
ldght Wnen running from Cape San Antonio, at
tne western extremity OF Cuba, have, toward
morning, found themselves I'm among the shoals
without having sighted Sand Key, when there
was every reason to have expected an easterly cur
rent OF from one to two knots and half per hour.
Lieut.. Piilsbury has the honor OF being the first
10 discover the effect OF the diurnal tides on the
strength OF the Gulf Stream. His conclusions are
that the strength OF the stream is greatest three
days Following the time Of the highest monthly
oecllnati0n OF the moon, and that just before the
rise, which begins on the day OF greatest declina
ton, there is a drop or a slackenng up OF the
speed. In applying these rules due regard must
naturally be paid to the effect severe northeast
storms have on the surface currents impeding
them and backing up the water In the Gulf OF
Mexico, from which It rushes with tremendous
force as the gale subsidies The experience or the
captain OF the Eureka Is O case In point as he
found the westerly set until CarysfoOt was reached.
The day or greatest flow OF the stream ought not
to have come until more than day after the YES
sci had passed Hatteras, up to which point she
should not have found the current at any time at
the maximum, at least until after passing Charles
ton, as the charts might have induced the captain
TO think should have been the case. When the
observations referred to have been published there
Will be but little left to speculate upon regarding
the actions OF the currents OF this greatest OF
ocean streams. Years have already been devoted
to these observations and everything that
science and an intelligent supervision Of the work
could accomplish has been brought to bear to bring
about a successful result.